German market: EnBW and Equinor to collaborate on offshore wind
The Dudgeon offshore wind farm in the North Sea
(Source: George Tweed / Equinor)
Karlsruhe-based EnBW and Norwegian state energy firm, Equinor, have announced that they are to cooperate on German offshore wind development. The German renewables company has earmarked renewables development in Germany and selected foreign markets as a key element of its growth strategy. It has already invested close to EUR 5 billion in the renewables sector since its corporate restructuring in 2013 and plans to invest a further EUR 4 billion by 2025.
The company’s head of Portfolio Development Renewables, Michael Class, said: “In a tough international field, we are delighted to be working together with a strong partner like Equinor and combining the individual strengths of the two companies to develop German offshore wind. EnBW is among today’s leaders in offshore wind in Germany. In partnership with Equinor, a global offshore wind major, we will continue to significantly contribute to a climate-friendly energy future in Germany and Europe.”
Commenting on the tie-up for Equinor, Jens Økland, senior vice president for Business Development Renewables, commented: “Equinor has a long energy history in Germany and views the upcoming offshore wind opportunities with great interest. We are excited about teaming up with EnBW. Together we combine excellent capability in delivering renewables projects specifically in Germany with international offshore experience, all needed to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy.”
EnBW commissioned the country’s largest offshore wind project, EnBW Hohe See and EnBW Albatros, in January 2020. The wind farms have a combined capacity of 609 MW. The company will also open the 900-MW He Dreiht wind farm in 2025 as the first fully commercial offshore project not supported by state subsidies. EnBW is also working with bp on the development of three wind farms in the Irish Sea – Morgan, Mona, and Morven, with a combined capacity of 5.9 GW.
Commissioned renewable energy projects will account for 50% of EnBW’s generating portfolio by the end of 2025.
